Wisdom From Above
Notes
Transcript
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.
14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.
15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
We have 2 kinds of wisdom that James is talking about
worldly wisdom and wisdom from above
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.
He challenges them to examine themselves
But not just individually but corporately
But James is implying that this number will be very few
He wants their good conduct to be shown
This is a reference to good works
James 2:17 “17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
James is referring to an outward manifestation of wisdom
It is good to be someone who professes something but it means nothing till you show it
Don’t talk about it, be about it.
14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.
James gives us some warnings
Bitter jealousy - bitterness and envy
Selfish ambition - self gain, looking out for number 1(me)
Do not boast and be false to the truth
Don’t make this something it isn’t
Why would someone boast about bitter jealousy and selfish ambition? (If your heart if filled with these things, you probably don’t recognize it as such)
15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
This is why they would not recognize these things and be bragging on them
They don’t have wisdom from above
They have earthly wisdom. This is not good wisdom. The world and the systems are influenced by Satan.
Think about the things in verse 14
These are centered in worldly wisdom. It is unspiritual and demonic.
James says that this leads to disorder
16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
What does disorder look like in someones life?
What are vile practices that come up in our lives?
How can a church full of jealously and selfish ambition turn into a church of disorder and vileness?
We protect ourselves from this by having wisdom from above
17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
Wisdom from heaven. James 1:5–6 “5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.”
Here is the difference between the two kinds of wisdom
earthly wisdom sees things from a finite perspective. This is why it is selfish
Godly wisdom sees things from an eternal perspective. It is beyond ourselves and what we want
1 My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you,
2 making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding;
3 yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding,
4 if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures,
5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
7 he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
8 guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints.
Godly wisdom only comes from God
We have the life of Solomon. Solomon knew he could not rely on earthly wisdom so he begged God for Godly wisdom
1 Kings 3:7–9 “7 And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. 9 Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?””
I want to focus in on the qualities that James lists here
We don’t see it in the english language but James organized these qualities in a way in the Greek that would mirror a beautiful poem to illustrate what he is saying
James alludes to the qualities listed in the beatitudes in the sermon on the mount
Pure - Matthew 5:8 “8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
Peaceable - Matthew 5:9 “9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
Gentle - Matthew 5:5 “5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
Compliant/open to reason - Matthew 5:3 “3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Full of mercy - Matthew 5:7 “7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”
Full of good fruit - Matthew 5:6 “6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”
Which one should we desire as Christians, selfish ambition and jealousy or the qualities that come from Godly wisdom?
18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
This is what results from Godly wisdom
peace and righteousness
these are the things of God
Practical application
How do we protect ourselves from using worldly wisdom?
Pray for godly wisdom, pray for God to take away worldly wisdom
humble ourselves before God
Remember our salvation through the gospel
what is the gospel?
